Writers Guild Noms Complicate the 'Orange Is the New Black' Comedy Question

The Writers Guild of America TV nominations did little to settle whether the debate as to whether Orange Is the New Black should be considered a comedy or drama, giving it a nod in the comedy category.

The Writers Guild of America TV nominations did little to settle whether the debate as to whether Orange Is the New Black should be considered a comedy or drama, giving it a nod in the comedy category.

The Orange Is the New Black news is a success for the show but confuses, at least for now, the lingering question as to whether the prison-set show -- which has its share of tragedy along with its laughs -- would be considered a comedy or drama by the industry's governing bodies. Nominating it as a comedy contradicts the fact that reports indicate it will be looking for drama prizes at the Golden Globes, Emmys and the SAG awards. (For the record, back in July we argued that it was a drama.)

In the comedy category, it joins30 Rock (RIP!), Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, and Veep. Netflix's House of Cards, which already had the chance to stake Emmy territory, is competing alongside Breaking Bad, The Good Wife, Homeland, and Mad Men in drama.

Nominations in the new series category went to both Netflix shows, The Americans, Masters of Sex, and Ray Donovan.

This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.

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